Itmustwork. I desire her. I want this investment. And I wish to find life interesting again, in between planning for my rather short future.
Evan shook off the thought, sandalwood and ginger wafting around him as he did. The scent of one of the shampoos he’d purchased made him think of her, and his cock lengthened, pushing against his trousers.
When the carriage stopped at Althea’s home, he jumped down without waiting for the coachman to set the step. He strode to the front door and gave it two firm knocks.
The door opened, and behind the butler who answered, Beth giggled with a footman. She turned with a lingering smile to the servant and beckoned Evan further into the house past the front parlor.
He held his breath. Where was Althea?
Beth rapped her knuckles on the barely open door and shoved inside. “Cuz, Cheltie has arrived.”
His breath whooshed out, leaving him lightheaded for a moment.
Regaining his trademark cocky smirk and swagger, he swung through the door. “Lady Althea, what a lovelysurprise.”
His gaze shot to her, consuming her tall, slender form in royal blue, somewhere between bold and navy, a perfect foil for her dark hair and eyes. Taking her hand, he bowed over it and rubbed his fingers against the pulse in the underside of her wrist.
Beth had turned toward a chair and did not notice Althea yank her arm back and hide it in her skirts.
“My lord. Thank you for coming.” Her voice was wooden.
He forced himself to stop staring at Althea and took in the room at a glance. Warm purples and wine tones dominated, with gold accents in the curtains and throw pillows on the settees. The rug in the seating area was all jewel tones. It suited her.
Beth turned back with a bounce from the seating area. “Right. I’ve asked tea to be served thrice so the ladies will not feel like they are second choice. There are three coming, a half hour apart. If you aren’t finished with your conversation with one, I shall entertain the next one in the front parlor until you do. Would you prefer here or at Althea’s desk?”
Althea’s gaze snapped to her cousin with a frown.
He was tempted to usurp her chair to niggle at her, but no, there was a better way. “Althea’s desk, if I may. My lady? Mayhap you could join the conversation, or at least watch—” He smirked when her eyes narrowed on him. “—and the candidate and I shall use the visitor’s chairs?”
Her eyes widened. She nodded, but then asked, “Mightn’t the ladies not feel more relaxed if we are all in conversation on equal terms?” She gestured to where Beth still stood.
“I suppose.” There’d be time enough later to ensure the chosen nurse understood the employee-employer relationship he expected. Althea and Evan chose chairs while Beth perched on the settee where the prospective nurse would join her. He crossed his legs, and his boot brushed the folds of her skirt when he swung it.
She shot him a glance but did not adjust her position.
Two hours later, his back teeth were floating, and he wasn’t sure he’d ever want tea again. But he had to admit, Beth had found outstanding choices for him and his mother. Any one of them would work.
“I should like to consider this and send a note around with my decision tomorrow if ’tis all right?” he asked as they all stood.
“Of course,” Beth answered.
Althea gritted her teeth, and he had the random worry they’d be smooth stumps if she kept that up.
“Beth, might you excuse your cousin and I for a few minutes?”
“Yes, of course.” Beth winked as she brushed by him, the door clicking shut in defiance of propriety.
“Now, Althea,” he said, “about our bet.”
Her spine grew rigid. “I declined your bet, Lord Cheltenham.”
“Mmm.” He strolled around her in a slow circle. “I would beg to argue that point, my lady. You came looking for more than answers to questions that night. But never mind. I am going to give you one piece of advice, for a very small price.”
“No—”
“Now, now,” he tsked. “You haven’t even heard the price. Do not be closed-minded.”
She gasped and turned to face him. “How dare you? I tell you about my past, and you throw it in my face?”
